spencer.b Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Can't be bothered lugging big valve amps around and not crazy bout my class d amps tone so I'm thinking of using a valve pre but will need to get a power amp, am I right in thinking it doesn't have to be a bass amp, any ideas? Small light and powerful preferably Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Valve preamps are a great halfway house between all tube and all solid state (or class D for that matter), my favourite of all being the Ampeg SVP PRO. I've also used mic preamps (TL Ivory 5051) and digital units (Zoom etc) straight into a power amp with good results. Once you decide to go modular the world of options really opens up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassmanPaul Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 If the afore mentioned Class D amp has an effects loop plug the tube pre-amp output directly into the Return jack. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 28 minutes ago, BassmanPaul said: If the afore mentioned Class D amp has an effects loop plug the tube pre-amp output directly into the Return jack. Good suggestion. You can also connect to the active instrument input if your amp has one (many do). Start with the input gain at minimum and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 (edited) I've had a lot of rack pres and full on valve amps etc, and the best sound of them all for me - despite 20 years of ignoring it - was a simple sansamp bdi. Rack pres are ok, but when coupled with a power amp, they're large, quite heavy, fiddly to use (they dont all sound loud as they should with their connections and outputs) and still quite delicate. I'd say when playing in a band theres no difference to me between my markbass and sansamp, and any of the all valve beasts I had. I'd even say it sounds better. Edited June 22, 2022 by la bam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunion Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 16 minutes ago, la bam said: they dont all sound loud as they should with their connections You just need to make sure the input sensitivity is correct and they’re fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassmanPaul Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 You have to remember that power is not linear. If you have a 100W amp and you want to get twice as loud you would have to step up to an amplifier capable of outputting 1000W, that's a ten fold increase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/464034-class-d-diabolical/#comment-4726790 Read this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer.b Posted June 23, 2022 Author Share Posted June 23, 2022 8 hours ago, Downunderwonder said: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/464034-class-d-diabolical/#comment-4726790 Read this. Yeah don't disagree but it's often a trade off and often just a monitor if there's a DI for foh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 (edited) The weight of rack stuff quickly adds up if you're not careful, and that light-weight class D amplifier will have a negligible impact on the overall weight of the rack which could end up being as heavy as an all-valve head. Edited June 23, 2022 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer.b Posted June 23, 2022 Author Share Posted June 23, 2022 (edited) The set up I'm thinking about is a Dickinson P1 which is a high end valve pre pedal which I'll sometimes run into my amps but wanted recommendations for a a power only amp to run it through for a more portable set up when needed , I agree Bigred that rack mount stuff negates the point of it for my use in which case I might as we'll put the pedal through the class d amps I've got Are there any class D power amps out there more like the quilter form rather than rack? Edited June 23, 2022 by spencer.b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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